One of the best ways to prepare pasta is by using a stock pot that holds a colander for easy draining after it is cooked. That way you can avoid splashing yourself with steaming water because you won’t have to pour the pot of noodles into a strainer. Pasta’s doneness depends on the size, shape and thickness of the noodles. Larger noodles require longer cooking time than smaller noodles. Tasting a noodle during cooking is the best way to tell if it’s done. Pasta cooks quickly, so check it often while it is cooking. Use plenty of water so the pasta doesn’t stick together and add a little bit of salt to the water while cooking to help firm the pasta and bring out its flavor. Fresh pasta cooks a lot faster than dried pasta. If you substitute a pasta shape for a recipe, pick a noodle that is similar in size and shape so it will cook in the same amount of time. Pasta cools down quickly after cooking, so make sure you are ready to serve it immediately or place it on a heated dish.

Adapted from www.hormel.com